Enyimba have completed the signing of defender Chigozie Chilekwu and midfielder Ikenna Cooper from Sunshine Stars on a permanent deal.

Both players arrived from the Sunshine Stars after impressive performances with the Owena Whales during the 2021/22 Nigeria Professional Football League season.

They have passed their medical test at Enyimba and both subsequently penned two-year contracts with the People’s Elephant.

“Cooper joins on a two-years deal and arrives with valuable top level experience having also previously featured for FC Ifeanyi Uba and Heartland FC.

“A commanding player with exquisite box-to-box qualities, Cooper is expected to bring balance and grit to an already competitive midfield setup. 

“Chilekwu, meanwhile, arrives to fill in at leftback following the departures of Daniel Darkwah and Emmanuel Ampiah, and has penned a two-years deal. 

“The 26-years-old provides versatility as he can also operate comfortably as a wing forward and in central midfield,” the club statement read on Monday.

Cooper and Chigozie are the latest additions to Enyimba’s shopping spree in the ongoing transfer window, following the recent acquisition of Sunday Okereke, Moses Omoduemuke, Ademola Adebambo and Elijah Akanni.

The acquisitions became paramount after the eight-time Nigeria league champions lost eight of their key players including team’s captain Austin Oladapo.

Oladapo joined TP Mazembe of Congo, while the Top Scorer in the 2021/22 NPFL season Victor Mbaoma switched to MC Algiers of Algeria.